Kenya’s football governing body suspended select football leagues in 13 counties in the western part of the country for a month following a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.
“Football Kenya Federation has moved to suspend all FKF Women Division One, FKF Division I & II, Regional, County and Sub County leagues, as well as all grass-root football programs for a period of thirty (30) days in counties affected by the Ministry of Health directive dated June 17, 2021,” Football Kenya Federation (FKF) said in a statement.
“These counties include Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Kericho, Bomet, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay and Migori.”
FKF said leagues in the remaining counties not affected by the government directive will continue in strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
It added that it will continue negotiations with the government to ensure home games involving teams from the top three men’s football leagues can be played in neighbouring regions.
The FKF’s announcement followed one by the Ministry of Health on Thursday imposing stringent measures to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the same counties.
According to the ministry, the proximity to the Ugandan border could be fuelling the surge in infections.
Some of the measures included an extended night curfew, a ban on public gatherings and in-person worship and a suspension of non-food and livestock open-air markets for 30 days.
Kenya has reported more than 179,000 confirmed cases and more than 3,400 deaths.